Mid 15th century AD. A long-bladed sword of schiavonesca type with broad double-edged blade, parallel-sided with long triangular point and acute tip, flat-section at the upper third with a deep central fuller, elliptical-section at the lower end; flat guard with scooped lower edge and D-section arms curving horizontally; the grip with possibly a later wooden handle and circular foundation-moulded band; the pommel of 'cat's head' type, rectangular with scrolled upper edge and integral central boss to both faces; on the upper part of the blade four punched marks including a circle with lines in outline on the left face, a 'U' in the fuller and two further marks. See Aleksi?, M., Mediaeval Swords from Southeastern Europe, material from 12th to 15th century AD, Beograd, 2007, especially cat. n.273, pl.17,3; similar swords can be found at the armoury of the Ducal Palace in Venezia, see Franzoi, U., L’Armeria del Palazzo Ducale a Venezia, Treviso, 1990, fig.41f., and in the National Hungarian Museum, Budapest (inv. nr. 53.310, see Aleksi?, 2007, cat.124).1.3 kg, 123cm overall (48 1/2"). Property of a London gentleman; previously in an old European arms and armour collection; accompanied by an academic report by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10409-170959. The Schiavonesca sword was used by Dalmatian mercenaries serving in the armies of the Venetian state, and produced by the workshops of the Serenissima to which the marks probably belong. Many of these swords were produced in Dubrovnik, a Croatian city under the Venetian Rule. Dr. Aleksi? mentions the case of the swordsmith Radonja Vukoti?, who made the agreement with blacksmith Andrija Miletin in the beginning of September 1436 to produce swords together in the following year. Andrija had to forge the swords, make pommels, cross-guards, hand-guards on hilts and scabbards. The swordsmith Radonja had to give the final touch to all these black (nigras) swords, to polish them, make stars and put the leather on scabbards.